Octopuses and squids are both marine invertebrates that are sometimes confused. They both have eight arms, but one also has two tentacles. One has rectangle-shaped pupils but the other’s pupils are round. One swims or walks along the ocean floor with strong arms. The other only swims using fins. One lives alone in caves while the other lives in open waters. Learn more about what these animals have in common and how they are different through the latest installment of the Compare and Contrast Book series.
From petite Hummingbirds to tall Whooping Cranes, birds are some of the most diverse animals on the earth. They are found in all types of habitats around the world and are one of the most abundant animals with more than 900 species in North America. Birds live in high-altitude mountains, dense forests, deserts, or near rivers and oceans. Some eat nuts and seeds, while others capture and eat small animals. Most birds fly, but some birds prefer to walk or even swim. Learn what birds have in common, how they are different, and how they are well-suited for their environment in this latest edition in the Compare and Contrast Book series.
If you were to see a bear in the woods, could you tell if it’s a black bear or grizzly bear? Learn what these two species of bears have in common and how to tell them apart. Are grizzly bears always brown or are black bears always black? Which have short, sharply-curved claws and which have long, gently-curved claws? Do they eat the same things? Explore the similarities and differences between these mammals in this latest addition to the Compare and Contrast Series!
Fishes live all over the world in both fresh and saltwater and in tropical, temperate, or polar habitats. Some fishes have bones while others have cartilage skeletons. Sizes vary from tiny goldfish to huge great white sharks, with all kinds of sizes in between. From flat bottom-dwelling to torpedo fast-swimming, their body shapes match their needs. Some fishes, like flounders and seahorses, even have body shapes to camouflage themselves. Colors can range from grays and browns to bright reds, yellows, or blues. Explore the similarities and differences in this latest addition to the Compare and Contrast Series!
Some of the most often confused reptiles are alligators and crocodiles. While both are crocodilians and, in some cases, may even inhabit the same areas, they are quite different. Readers learn what they have in common and how to tell them apart. Both spend time on land and in water. One eats small animals but the other preys on animals larger than they are! One tends to have wide snouts and the other has v-shaped snouts. Explore fascinating facts about these large (and scary) animals in this latest installment of the Compare and Contrast Book series.
Sometimes stories are told so often that people begin believing them even though they are not true. If enough people believe these untrue stories, they are called myths. Do you know what’s true or not? Do porcupines really throw their quills? Can someone be as blind as a bat? Are snakes slimy or do opossums hang by their tails? And just how much wood can a woodchuck chuck? Learn what’s true and what’s not in the latest addition to Mary Holland’s Animal Anatomy and Adaptation series.
When a notice for a community potluck is posted, Victoria and her neighbor Mrs. Kosta decide to bring a beet salad as their contribution. But first they need to grow this special vegetable for their dish. They plant the seeds in their garden plot, and throughout the summer they water, fertilize, weed, and mulch. And they watch their beet grow and grow and grow. On potluck day, it's time to harvest so they can make their salad. Victoria grabs the garlic and the grater and Mrs. Kosta steps up to remove the beautiful red veg from its underground home. But their care and attention has grown the biggest beet ever, and it stubbornly refuses to come loose. This beet won't budge! Will Victoria and Mrs. Kosta be able to make their special salad? Not to worry--help comes in all shapes and sizes. This clever, humorous take on an old folktale is a celebration of community and the ways we all come together. Back matter includes a beet salad recipe.
Seeds are truly amazing! Did you know that every seed, no matter how small (microscopic) or large (weighing up to 14 pounds), contains everything it needs to one day grow into a plant? Three generations of a gardening family work together to bring a backyard garden to full bloom.
In 1945, the attention of the United States, along with the rest of the world, was focused on World War II. After more than five years of fighting, downcast, war-weary people were looking for signs of hope of a better future. One April morning, a duck searching for a nesting spot lands on a tall post sticking out of the Milwaukee River. Situated near a busy drawbridge and the noisy city of Milwaukee, this was an unlikely, precarious spot for a soon-to-be-mama duck to build her nest. But that is exactly where Gertie (named by a local reporter) decides to make her home and lay her eggs. Once local newspapers report the story, crowds begin visiting the bridge to watch Gertie and speculate how she will safely hatch her babies. Soon, news outlets around the world are carrying the hopeful tale of the plucky duck, raising spirits, and giving readers a shared sense of community.
Toby is having the best birthday party ever until an ill-timed and unintended toot draws unwelcome attention and teasing. Poor Toby--he is so embarrassed! And now everyone is calling him "Tootles." To get out from under his cloud of shame, Toby goes to visit his grandmother, hoping to get some sympathy and understanding. But as it turns out, Grandma is a bit of a gasbag herself with her own windy issues. She toots not once, not twice, but THREE times during Toby's visit. And she's not even embarrassed about it! But Toby is. He's embarrassed by her and for her. It's only when Toby is facing another digestive episode that he realizes maybe it's time to follow Grandma's lead and not let little things get in the way of enjoying life. After all, gas happens! A sweet and funny lesson on how to handle life's hiccups and other unexpected "eruptions."
In Zebra Foals in the Wild, beginning readers will learn about zebra foals as they grow up on the savanna in Africa. Follow along as zebra foals join the herd and learn from their moms. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they are introduced to zebra foals' appearance, diet, behaviors, and habitat. A picture diagram labels a zebra foal's body parts, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about zebra foals online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Zebra Foals in the Wild also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
In this book, early readers will learn why the sky looks blue. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage beginning readers as they learn about the visible light spectrum and how sunlight reacts with particles in the air to affect the sky's color. A picture diagram shows how light waves scatter when they reach Earth's atmosphere, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about the sky and Earth's atmosphere online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Why is the Sky Blue? also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
In this book, early readers will learn about what makes up clouds and how they form in the sky. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage beginning readers as they learn how water drops stick to dust to form clouds. A picture diagram shows how clouds form as part of the water cycle, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about clouds online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. What Are Clouds Made Of? also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
In this book, early readers will learn about what makes the sun shine. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage beginning readers as they learn how the sun creates heat and light and supports life on Earth. A picture diagram shows how the sun's rays reach Earth, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about the sun and our planet online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Why Does the Sun Shine? also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
In this book, readers will learn about the unique and defining features of Ukraine. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the key details of the country including geography, climate, culture, and resources. Compelling questions encourage further inquiry.
Touch introduces the earliest readers to the sense of touch, textures, and sensations with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. Carefully crafted text using high-frequency words and repetitive sentence patterns combines with strong visual references to support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once. Touch includes tools for teachers as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index.
In Tiger Cubs in the Wild, beginning readers will learn about baby tigers as they grow up in the rain forest in Asia. Follow along as tiger cubs learn from their moms. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they are introduced to tiger cubs' appearance, diet, behaviors, and habitat. A picture diagram labels a tiger cub's body parts, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about tiger cubs online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Tiger Cubs in the Wild also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
In Theo Swims with a Mermaid, beginning readers learn about the phonics concept of consonant sounds, digraphs, and blends in an exciting undersea setting. Follow along as Theo meets a mermaid and helps her find a special seashell, all while incorporating various consonant sounds, in this fun decodable book. Vibrant illustrations and carefully leveled text will engage young readers in a supportive educational fiction reading experience. Children can learn more about consonant sounds using Fact Surfer, our safe online search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Supplementary back matter helps readers review the story, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Theo Swims with a Mermaid also features reading tips for teachers and parents, an index, and a table of contents.
Smell introduces the earliest readers to the sense of smell and aromatic objects and foods with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. Carefully crafted text using high-frequency words and repetitive sentence patterns combines with strong visual references to support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once. Smell includes tools for teachers as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index.
Taste introduces the earliest readers to the sense of taste and common flavors with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. Carefully crafted text using high-frequency words and repetitive sentence patterns combines with strong visual references to support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once. Taste includes tools for teachers as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index.
See introduces the earliest readers to the sense of sight and common objects we see around us outside with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. Carefully crafted text using high-frequency words and repetitive sentence patterns combines with strong visual references to support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once. See includes tools for teachers as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index.
Shells introduces the earliest readers to unique animal shell textures and patterns while providing them with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. High-frequency words, repetitive sentence patterns, photo labels, and strong visual references support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once. Shells includes tools for teachers as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index.
In Sal and the Three-Letter Spell, beginning readers learn about the phonics concept of consonant-vowel-consonant words (CVC words) and spelling in an exciting, fantastical setting. Follow along as Sal and his pigeon, Pip, encounter an evil witch and attempt to reverse her spell, all while incorporating various CVC words, in this fun decodable book. Vibrant illustrations and carefully leveled text will engage young readers in a supportive educational fiction reading experience. Children can learn more about CVC words using Fact Surfer, our safe online search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Supplementary back matter helps readers review the story, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Sal and the Three-Letter Spell also features reading tips for teachers and parents, an index, and a table of contents.
Follow along as Sara organizes the toys in her room, experiencing firsthand the coding concept of sorting. Fun, vibrant illustrations and carefully leveled text engage young readers in a supportive educational fiction reading experience about fundamental coding concepts. A Let's Review! question further explains the programming concept and asks readers how it applies to both daily life and computers. Sara Cleans Her Room: A Sorting Story also features reading tips for teachers and caregivers, a picture glossary, and a table of contents.
Scales introduces the earliest readers to unique, colorful fish and reptile scales while providing them with a supportive first nonfiction reading experience. High-frequency words, repetitive sentence patterns, photo labels, and strong visual references support emergent readers, making sure they aren't facing too many challenges at once. Scales includes tools for teachers as well as introductory nonfiction features such as labels, a table of contents, words to know, and an index
